UWHC Only Accepts J-1 Visas

ECFMG: http://www.ecfmg.org/index.html

Contact with any visa questions: Cindy Feuling 263-8023 or [email protected] Debra Coe-Bradish 263-6602 or [email protected]

UWHC only accepts J-1 visas.

Why we don’t accept H1-B’s.

In 1961 Fulbright Hayes began the J-1 educational visa with 13 categories.

There are now 14 types of J-1 visas: Professor Specialists Research Scholar (research) Alien Physician (clinical - residency) Short-term scholar International Visitor Trainees Government Visitor Student (college or University) Camp Counselors Teachers Au Pair Secondary School students Summer work / travel students

Most common visas for physicians in GME:  J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa – Alien Physician o Receives this visa after having an accepted position at an ACGME residency program, applicants do not interview or visit the USA on this visa. o Full-time educational / training visa  Temporary, non-immigrant visa o Immigrant – intends to stay in the US o Non-Immigrant – not intending to stay in the US o Not employment  Two-year home residency obligation  Seven-year maximum for progressive training.  J-2 Dependent with work authorization – spouse would be a J-1 o Not accepted by UWHC, the applicant would have to get their own J-1.  H-1B Temporary Worker o Not accepted by UWHC o They are in the process of becoming a permanent citizen.  EAD (Employment Authorization Document) o UWHC accepts EAD’s. o Who is on an EAD? - Asylees or those seeking asylum  O-1 Individual of extraordinary Merit  F-1 Optional practical training  TN o limited to Canadian and Mexican physicians – limited to research & teaching with minimal patient contact Question to ask your applicants with any type of visa listed on their application - What type of visa are you currently on.

2006-07 UWHC presently has 13 House Officers on J-1 visas: 1 – Iran 4 – Pakistan 1 – Germany 1 – Iceland 1 – Ecuador 2 – Japan 1 – Philippines 1 - Kenya 1 – Macedonia

ECFMG – (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates)  ECFMG certification  The purpose of ECFMG Certification is to assess the readiness of the IMG’s to enter U.S. residency and fellowship programs that are accredited by ACGME. See the ECFMG Certification Fact Sheet.  a private nonprofit organization committed to promoting excellent in international medical education. ECFMG’s organizational members are: o American Board of Medical Specialties o Association of American Medical Colleges o Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, Inc. o American Medical Association o National Medical Association  For J-1 Sponsorship: o Foreign national physicians seeking J-1 sponsorship to enroll in programs of graduate medical education (GME) or training in the United States must fulfill a number of general requirements, which are detailed the ECFMG J-1 Visa Sponsorship Fact Sheet

o Each host institution designates a Training Program Liaison (TPL) who serves as the official representative to communicate with ECFMG. Debra and I are the TPL’s for UWHC. This communication ensures regulatory compliance and provides the required administrative oversight for the J-1 physician.